Here it is, the latest laser toy from Boeing, designed specifically to
set drones on fire:
formatting link
It's a 2kW laser that's controlled by a standard Xbox 360 and a
laptop. Although the article doesn't say so, it's probably powered by
an off-the-shelf IPG fiber laser, like the big laser cannons that are
being deployed on US ships.
Every kid in America is going to ask for one for Christmas.
Probably on the Moon. A 2 kW laser, focused for a destructive spot
like, that, is damned dangerous.
The thing is, though, that it probably goes out of focus pretty fast.
It would depend on the spot size at some distance. These are not
strictly parallel beams; they have to focus them with lenses. But
fiber lasers, which are the ones typically used for these small-scale
millitary applications, have a wavelength that is particularly nasty
for human eyes. That's why the fiber cutting lasers used in fab shops
are enclosed with heavily-tinted enclosures, while CO2 lasers are not.
Someone made a widget that could zap mosquitoes in flight a couple of years
back. I'll bet anyone with access to a hobby sized laser cutter and a PC c
ould shoot down drones for a lot less money. Might take a little longer tha
n the instantaneous zap of a big-ass laser but 40 or 50 watts would do nice
ly..
As always, applications of this stuff are limitless. For example,
blinding tanks, setting objects on fire remotely, or even lasering
soldiers who are in the "line of sight".
An operator can be sitting safely a mile away from the weapon.
It looks like the laser beam is not in visible light, so it may not be
easy to detect and fire upon.
i
I'm holding out for the vaporizing laser which will take out the perps
who wander into my yard. Poof! Magic Smoke released, perp gone.
Maybe they can work for road rage, too.
Larry Jaques on Sun, 30 Aug 2015
16:47:48 -0700 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following:
Umm, some of the "worst" offenders here, well, lets just say "We
Adults, we can act like children any time we want. And we have our
own money, too!"
Years ago, I helped a friend with a class assignment (Technical
Writing, "Create a Brochure"). What they came up with was a civilian
application of particle beam projectors, for home security. "Ask
about the Zap-O-Matic 3000, with the 'Trespasser Be Gone' option."
next to a sketch of a house and a puff of smoke.
--
pyotr filipivich
"With Age comes Wisdom. Although more often, Age travels alone."
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